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Alexandra messaged me on instagram wanting me to shoot her and her fiance’s elopement that was only a week away on Valentine’s Day. It sounded like the cutest thing ever and I was so glad that I was open! Their venue was Oaks Pioneer Church over in Sellwood. Such an adorable and cozy spot. I couldn’t have chosen a better way to spend my Valentine’s Day, honestly. This tiny elopement on a rainy Portland day will forever be a favorite of mine.

So happy to finally share this Molalla wedding at Home Place Farms. It was such a perfect day and full of laughter, tears and pure joy. There were a few special moments that were really important to Sadie + Caleb for their wedding day.

The day started with a super slow and peaceful morning. Friends and family were bustling around the venue setting up and making sure everything was perfect. It was a team effort to prepare the venue for such a special day. After Sadie’s mom helped her into her dress and veil, Sadie really wanted to do a first look with her dad before the one with her groom-to-be. It was such a sweet moment to capture and following that we went to recreate a childhood photo of Sadie and her dad which was really personal to them. I love things like that because I’m there to capture these memories for my couples and a huge part of that for some is celebrating moments with family.

Then it was time for Sadie and Caleb’s first look! I found a really magical spot in the forest around the venue for them to share that moment together. They read letters that they wrote to each other and it was so so sweet. I love when my couples are finally together on their wedding day because I get to witness this moment of peace and joy that they feel as soon as they see the face of their person. It’s kind of magical and the smiles get me every time. One of my favorite photos from this entire wedding is of Caleb, his brother, and a groomsman (who also happens to be a former groom of mine) all showing off their wedding rings. Just so so happy that they all found their perfect person and that they get to be there for each other to celebrate it.

We also snuck away for some blue hour portraits (which deserved their own blog post that you can view here). I could literally talk forever about every single moment of this wedding but I will let the pictures do the work for me, haha. It was such a beautiful day full of love and happiness and I’m so glad that I got to be a part of it.

This Mt. Hood wedding is just so close to my heart I can’t even describe it fully. I have to say that Mt. Hood Skibowl is now one of my favorite wedding venues because wow, I mean, the images speak for themselves. Amanda and Trevor couldn’t have found a more picturesque venue that is the embodiment of all of the beauty Oregon has to offer.

Amanda and Trevor’s day was so emotional and joyful and magical. Everyone there was so full of love and ready to celebrate this 7 ½ year love story. I cried multiple times this day, though sometimes of laughter. Cried along with Amanda and her sisters as she walked down aisle, cried with laughter when her dad forgot to give Trevor a hug at the altar, cried during the incredibly heartfelt speeches from their very dear friends and family, and danced and sang with all of their best friends to close out the night.

I always have moments in this job where I’m reminded of why I love it so much. Yes of course it’s fun going to beautiful places and photographing beautiful people and getting to be creative. But, the real reason I love my job is all of the meaning behind everything I create and who I get to create it for. That’s the part that makes my heart flutter. That’s the part that keeps pushing me forward. Amanda and Trevor invited me into such an intimate day and were completely open with me so I could capture it exactly how it was. I am so beyond grateful for that. It’s couples like this that allow me to create my best work and to make art out of their love stories.

This Baker Building wedding was so so special. From the Office inspired gift during the first look, to the rainbow outside gracing the reception, to the mega dance party to close out the night. This wedding was beautiful and so true to the brides that planned it.

Carol met me outside of their Airbnb and I honestly was so stunned by how amazing she looked but also the smile on her face...you guys...that smile was so telling of how the day would go. Every time she saw her bride she literally lit up. Like I can’t even describe it other than they’re just made for each other in every way. Plus I got to be a part of one of their favorite days ever? So honored.

We went to Peninsula Park for the first look and we seriously couldn’t have dreamed of better weather. I always tell my couples that shooting outside is the best because natural light is just too dreamy to pass up. Carol surprised Sheya with the cutest teapot (which was an amazing gift because it came with bonus gifts inside - I love you if know which episode that’s from). Once we were done at the park we headed over to the venue for the rest of the night! The Baker Building was a perfect fit for them! It was small enough to create an intimate vibe without feeling like everyone was stuffed into a closet. Carol and Sheya really wanted to spend a lot of time with their guests and that’s exactly what they did. Everyone there was just so happy to see them finally get married and the room was filled with love. Congrats to you two and thank you for making me a part of your day!

This Seal Rock elopement will forever tug on my heartstrings. It was a perfect mix of letting go of tradition and making your own perfect day instead.

When Faith and José booked me last fall, they planned to have a pretty decent sized October wedding with lots of family flying in from out-of-state. If this was me planning my wedding, having people coming from all over would have made it way more stressful and like I really had to make it worth while for them to be there. I think this is why so many brides get so stressed out during the planning process. They start planning the wedding for the guests instead of themselves and their cutie!! That’s not how any couple should feel about their wedding day! It’s such a special day and should be completely unique to the couples’ needs and wants.

After shooting their engagement at Rowena Crest, Faith and José found out that their lives would be changing veeery soon in a completely magical way. This made their photos so much more special but also forced them to rethink their wedding plans. They decided to have a springtime elopement and surprise their family with the news along with a small reception on another day. I couldn’t have been more excited to hear this!! I love shooting intimate weddings and elopements because I just get to focus on the couple and really showcase their love and relationship the whole time.

We all traveled out to Seal Rock and it was the most perfect day. Just me, Faith, José and their friend Kym (who was the best maid of honor/assistant ever!!). There was basically no one around, the light was gorgeous and you couldn’t even see footprints in the sand. A photographer’s heaven. We did their first look on the beach and then went over to Seal Rock to catch the sunset. We explored around until we found a perfect spot for them to read their vows to each other and took photos at every beautiful spot along the way. They got emotional, I got emotional and we were all just balls of joy by the end.

Thank you guys so much for letting me be a part of your lives, I love you both so much!!

Audrey and Stefan's Plaza Del Toro wedding was so simply them. No crazy details, no packed schedule and no stress. They didn't feel the need to follow normal traditions and focused on making their day exactly how they wanted. This is something I'm seeing more and more couples do and it makes me so incredibly happy. If having tons of details will make you happy then seriously go nuts! If you want to be extra and throw in some wedding llamas then have at it, girl! As long as you do you and your boo, you can't go wrong(should I try and trademark that or is it not as good of a line as I think??).

Audrey and Stefan started their day off at the Nines hotel in downtown Portland. When I got to the room Audrey was with a few friends and one of them was doing her makeup. They told me right away that the makeup artist didn't show up so she had to phone a friend (who luckily was a professional HMUA) to do it for her!! Her best friend Parinda had to run across the street and practically buy out all of the beauty counters because she didn't know what shades matched Audrey (lol!!). They the ride or die kind of friends for sure.

They did their first look at the Nines and then it was time to head over to the next venue! Having their wedding at Plaza Del Toro was such a perfect choice. Imagine a cool downtown Portland bar but the only people inside are your nearest and dearest. Only their closest family and friends attended their intimate gathering and every single person was sooo excited to celebrate with them.

I love this crowd and they really love this couple. Thank you so much for letting me capture this special time.

Last fall I got to assist Marcela Pulido at this AMAAAZING Castaway Portland wedding!! We started the day off at the church Thuy-Linh went to elementary school in when she was younger. Does anyone else get choked up over little sentimental details like this or am I the only one?? They had their first look right outside the church. it was seriously the most gorgeous sunny fall day! After they exchanged their gifts for each other it was off to the ceremony with all of their friends and family waiting for them inside. Once they went through all the official stuff, they were officially husband and wife and it was time to PARTAY!!

Their reception was held at Castaway Portland and it's now one of my favorite venues ever!! It's open without feeling overwhelming and it's got all of those good good downtown Portland vibes. Once we got to the venue we met up with the wedding llamas, which was totally insane. I've never been so close to llamas and they literally didn't move you guys. It was so surreal. At first it kind of felt like they were dinosaurs? I hope I'm not the only one that felt that way because it sounds super weird in text (lol). We took their couples portraits nearby Castaway Portland with the llamas and I've never seen something more unique than that! They're so fun and cute and seriously some of my favorite images.

After an amazing dinner (thanks Castaway), the cutest slideshow ever and a cameo from Seal, the rest of the night was spent dancing, laughing, drinking and more dancing. I've never been around a reception that was this wild!! This was such a fun bunch and such a perfect way to celebrate Thuy-Linh + Vy's love. Congrats you guys and a big thanks to Marcela for letting me tag along!!

I met Kaitlyn and Janden for the first time on their wedding day in Lincoln City, Oregon. As soon as I said hello they both welcomed me into their lives as if I'd known them for years. Kaitlyn is so loving and thoughtful and seriously the smiliest person I've ever met. It was so clear why Janden fell in love with her. They're the kind of couple that you look at and it just makes sense.

They had an intimate backyard ceremony with only their closest friends and family. It was seriously magical watching the sun go down as they said their "I do's". I'm so happy that I was able to capture this beautiful day.

I met Sarah and Jason for the first time at their Silver Falls engagement session. I was so excited for their wedding afterwords because their love was so easy to capture on camera. It was so obvious that they truly were meant to be together.

Cut to their wedding day 3-months later held at the amazing Abiqua Country Estate in Silverton, Oregon. They couldn’t have chosen a more perfect venue. We were surrounded by beautiful green trees and a gorgeously manicured landscape. Even with the smoky skies from the Canadian wildfires, the light couldn’t have been more magical.

Within the first 5 minutes of meeting the wedding party and invited guests, it was clear that I was not the only one who saw how generous and loving Sarah and Jason’s beautiful souls were. Everyone there was so elated to share this moment with them and I had a hard time holding in tears during the speeches and prayers.

It was a gift to my life to meet these beautiful people and their families. I will never forget this perfect day.

Thank you so much to my second shooter Michelle Allan for helping me capture so many special moments.